Archive for the 'Ellis Mccarthy' Tag Under 'UCLA' Category

It was quite the weekend for UCLA players at the Combine, with a few of them establishing themselves as fast risers on NFL draft boards across the country. We discussed Brett Hundley and his rising stock on the blog already. So let's take a look at the rest of UCLA's prospects who put on a show in Indianapolis.

The skinny: Odighizuwa's stock soared over the weekend with his stellar workout, prompting scouts all over to tag him as an "athletic freak", which is basically a best-case scenario for anyone looking to boost their draft appeal at the Combine. Odighizuwa did all he could to earn that label in Indy, running faster than many expected and jumping out of the gym with an insane 39-inch vertical that ranked a half-inch higher than the 2nd-place defensive lineman. His sack stats at UCLA won't wow anyone, so it'll be interesting to see how much scouts question his pass rush acumen in the coming months. But if the Combine is any indication, Odighizuwa is only going to get more popular before May. Right now, it's hard to see him falling out of the first round.

With Brett Hundley's decision to declare for the draft a certainty months ago, UCLA looked as though it would get through the NFL draft's early entry window otherwise unscathed.

That was before Tuesday night, though, when junior defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy announced on Twitter that he would declare for this May's draft, forgoing his senior season at UCLA.

"After careful consideration and prayer, I've decided that I'm going to forgo my senior year and enter the 2015 NFL Draft," McCarthy wrote on Twitter. "This was an extremely difficult decision but it is best for my family and myself."

McCarthy chose UCLA to much fanfare -- a five-star recruit that many hoped would bolster Jim Mora's first recruiting class. But after arriving as the nation's No. 4 defensive tackle, McCarthy dealt with conditioning and injury issues throughout his three seasons and never quite grabbed ahold of a spot on the Bruins' defensive line.

Still, his early recruiting profile led to intermittent NFL draft chatter. As a sophomore, McCarthy started eight games and notched 31 tackles, which earned him UCLA's most improved defensive player award. Behind Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes, who were among the conference's best defensive linemen, McCarthy was relegated to a reserve role in his final season.

LOS ANGELES -- The first week of Ellis McCarthy’s junior season basically began on a stationary bike.

For the first half of UCLA’s fall camp in San Bernardino, McCarthy found himself away from his teammates, working out alone, with members of UCLA’s strength and conditioning staff often monitoring him closely. It wasn’t the ideal start for the once-five-star defensive lineman, after he came to camp noticeably out of shape.

“We gave him a week there of camp and tried to refocus his physical conditioning,” Mora said. “A lot of people thought he was hurt. He wasn’t hurt. We just wanted to help him get in better shape and bring his weight down.”

McCarthy spoke with reporters for the first time this season on Tuesday, and questions turned immediately to his conditioning, which has been an ever-present concern since McCarthy came to UCLA as a five-star validation of Mora’s early recruiting efforts. The defensive lineman hasn’t necessarily lived up to expectations since.

LOS ANGELES -- After missing last Saturday’s game against Cal running back Jordon James didn’t practice again on Tuesday, and is "doubtful" to play against Stanford this weekend.

"Don’t want to rule him out," Mora said, "but I think it’d be a real stretch."

Paul Perkins is again in line to get the start in James’ place. He carried the ball 14 times for just 36 yards last week and will face a much more stout run defense in Stanford.

UCLA did get some good news on the injury front, as defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy returned to practice after missing the Cal game with a minor head injury. Mora said he’s “99 percent sure” that McCarthy will play on Saturday.

"I think he will be back," defensive line coach Angus McClure said of McCarthy. "I’m expecting him to be back. He felt great last week, but we wanted to be cautious with him."

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA defensive end Ellis McCarthy and running back Jordon James are officially "doubtful" for Saturday's game against Cal after missing practice this week. Neither is expected to play.

McCarthy returned to practice on Thursday after being hit in the head late against Utah, but was limited, doing mostly individual work. Freshman defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes is expected to get the start in his place.

James left UCLA's game against Utah with an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return to practice this week. The severity of his injury going forward is still uncertain, but UCLA should be in good hands in the backfield with Paul Perkins expected to get the lion's share of carries on Saturday.

Assuming neither plays against Cal, UCLA will be without three of its regular starters this weekend, with left tackle Torian White also out after breaking his ankle against Utah -- an injury that will keep him out for at least the rest of the regular season.

LOS ANGELES -- Defensive end Ellis McCarthy missed practice on Tuesday with concussion-like symptoms after being hit in the head late in last Thursday’s game. His status is uncertain going forward, but Mora wouldn’t rule out a return later this week.

“He’s a lot better, but he’s not asymptomatic yet,” Mora said. “You know how I feel about head injuries. We’re just going to play it really safe with that. And we’ll miss him.”

If he’s unable to play, freshman Eddie Vanderdoes will get the start, with fellow first-year end Kylie Fitts also rotating in. The lack of depth could affect the Bruins against an up-tempo offense like Cal runs, but UCLA’s backup defensive linemen – especially Vanderdoes – have impressed through four games this season, while Cal’s offensive line has allowed 17 sacks, the most in the Pac-12 and sixth-worst in the nation.

SAN BERNARDINO -- It’s been a year since Ellis McCarthy came to UCLA as a five-star defensive line recruit, and after undergoing two knee surgeries, playing sparingly in just nine games as a freshman, and being bounced around from defensive end to right guard to nose tackle, McCarthy may finally be on track to living up to his massive potential in the middle of UCLA’s line this season.

“You can tell that he’s a different guy right now,” Mora said. “His body looks different. It still looks big, but it looks different. He’s moving well. He’s light on his feet. He’s big, powerful, strong. He knows what he’s supposed to do, and he does it with a lot of power.”

Twenty pounds lighter at 320, McCarthy said that he feels healthier and more agile with his knees holding up less weight. He looks more nimble, too – during Monday’s practice, McCarthy tipped a ball at the line and dove for an impressive interception.

Mora took some responsibility for McCarthy’s slow development last season, citing his multiple position changes as reasoning for why he never quite got comfortable. But McCarthy quickly refuted that claim.

“I know with my weight problem, they were just trying to put me where I best fit at that weight,” McCarthy said. “I just felt like I had to lose the weight to play the position I was needed at."

In the midst of an otherwise quiet spring and summer for UCLA football, the Bruins defensive line has been nothing short of a daytime soap opera.

First, it was the departure of Datone Jones, the line's leader and a first-round draft pick to the Packers. Then, it was potential season-ending surgery for Owa Odighizuwa; trumped only by news that he may actually be ready for the start of the season. Brandon Tuliaupupu was lost for the season to an ACL tear. Former five-star Ellis McCarthy moved full time to nose tackle. Marsh That's enough storylines to film an HBO pilot.

It seems inevitable that the Bruins will head into 2013 with a great deal of uncertainty on their defensive front, as those questions are slowly answered in fall camp and into the season. Senior Cassius Marsh may prove to be the guiding light that UCLA needs, but if Odighizuwa misses time, the Bruins' depth will be tested.

Still, there is abundant talent available. Marsh is a potential first or second round pick in next year's NFL Draft. Odighizuwa has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity -- something many expected him to excel in. And McCarthy, who should wrangle away the starting nose position at some point, is not far removed from being labeled a blue-chip, NFL-caliber talent.

With one of the league's best linebacking corps behind them, UCLA's three-man defensive front will play an ultimately crucial role in Year Two of Lou Spanos' defense. The ceiling is high, but with so many cruel twists already, no one really knows what state UCLA's line will be in, come September.

The college football season draws near, and with UCLA's future looking bright, 2013 could certainly be a special season in Westwood.

But that path of ascension to the top of the Pac-12 comes riddled with question marks. UCLA finished last season with three straight losses, including a blowout loss in the Holiday Bowl, after an emotionally charged statement victory over crosstown rival USC. It remains to be seen if UCLA, led by Coach Jim Mora, is ready to take the next step.

In the weeks leading up to college football season, we'll investigate the 10 burning questions that surround the UCLA football team leading in the 2013 season.